A little boy who cannot walk or talk has set off for a potentially life-changing trip to America.

Jack Christmas, 8, is one of just 171 children in the world to have been diagnosed with Mowat Wilson Syndrome, caused by a gene deficiency or mutation, which also causes dangerous seizures.

He and his family have been overwhelmed with donations to help them raise nearly £20,000 so he can be one of five people to contribute to vital research, and at 11.15am on Tuesday flew from Heathrow to Washington DC to take part.

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

Read More

Speaking before they left for London on Monday, mum Dawn, 43, said: “I am nervous, more about the flight than anything else.

“I believe it’s a nine hour flight and Jack had three seizures last Monday and two on the Tuesday, and I’m just worried about what might happen when we’re in the air. They are aware of jack but there’s a lot of ‘what if’.

“We’re travelling down to London on Monday because the flight is at 11.15am, and Jack couldn’t do the whole journey from Hull in one go.

“Tony is very excited, it’s something he researched and it could make a big difference to Jack’s life. I’m just worried, as you might expect, it’s just the unknown.”

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

Little Jack, who’s mum will be posting updates on Facebook page www.facebook.com/lifeforakid2008, will celebrate his ninth birthday on July 9 while undergoing the research in the next three weeks.

Meanwhile, Mrs Christmas, who lives with her family in Gainford Grove, east Hull, will also celebrate her birthday on the first day of his treatment on Thursday.

She said: “It’s my birthday on the day we first go into The Children’s National Hospital, and Jack will be nine while we’re out there.

“I’m planning on taking pictures and keeping everyone updated while we’re over there.

Read More

Mrs Christmas said all the money donated to his cause has gone towards taking part in the research, with the family footing the cost of flights with what they would spend on a holiday.

However, the budget has not stretched to cover any unforeseen costs, such as an extra night in the hospital or further, last minute treatment.

So, they are planning more fundraisers to help support Jack’s treatment for when they return next month.

Jack Christmas at home in Gainford Grove, east Hull, with dad Tony

Mrs Christmas said: “We had the Ladies Ball recently which was just a fantastic night. We’ve still got to count up what we got from the auction but at the moment it’s at the £1183 mark.

“It’s just been overwhelming the number of people, total strangers, who have donated to help Jack.

“The treatment itself was £20,000, and because we requested an MRI that was another £8,300. There could also be other costs, too. We will be holding other fundraisers as well.

“I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped us, and to Dean Haggard, who let us use Life for a Kid to help raise the money. Without him we wouldn’t have been able to have a charity number and do the fundraising we have.”